The Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body
By Gilary Lozano Lopez Worldwide, 70 to 76 mg of caffeine is consumed per person daily from food items such as coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate (Millerand Gilbert 1981). Caffeine generates a feeling of energy in the consumer after ingestion, accelerates the heartbeat and causes alterations in perception, mood, and consciousness. These alterations are caused by the blockage of adenosine, a chemical found in all cells in the body that promotes sleep (Nehlig et. al 1992). The consumption of caffeine has been linked to migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate, and muscle tremors. Its benefits far outweigh its side effects with moderate consumption by causing a decrease …show more content…
Four cups of caffeinated coffee, equivalent to 400 mg of caffeine a day can have side effects such as migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate and muscle tremors. (Vanderveen et al 2001) The effects of caffeine can last from five to six hours in healthy adults and can vary depending on weight, height, and use of medication. Caffeine’s disruption of sleep is the most common side effect that can add up over time and can disturb daytime alertness as well as performance. These side effects are more easily felt by those with caffeine sensitivity at even just one cup of coffee a day. Tolerance of caffeine increases with daily consumption and the increase of …show more content…
Several studies suggest that with a lifelong consumption of caffeine a decrease in physiological and cognitive ability in women at the age of 80 or older occurs. The risk of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease is decreased and an increased in long term memory ability occurs. Caffeine can reduce headaches and migraines as shown by a study where one group of participants were given analgesics to reduce pain composed of 1000 mg acetaminophen, and 130 mg caffeine and the other group were given placebo pills. Those who consumed the analgesic with caffeine showed reduced pain within four hours after ingestion (Migliardi et al 1994). Caffeine constricts blood vessels in the body that aid in pain relief of headaches or migraine. Blood vessels in the brain dilate before headaches or migraines occur so the constriction of the blood vessels due to the presence of caffeine in the blood helps relieve or decrease the
By Gilary Lozano Lopez Worldwide, 70 to 76 mg of caffeine is consumed per person daily from food items such as coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate (Millerand Gilbert 1981). Caffeine generates a feeling of energy in the consumer after ingestion, accelerates the heartbeat and causes alterations in perception, mood, and consciousness. These alterations are caused by the blockage of adenosine, a chemical found in all cells in the body that promotes sleep (Nehlig et. al 1992). The consumption of caffeine has been linked to migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate, and muscle tremors. Its benefits far outweigh its side effects with moderate consumption by causing a decrease …show more content…
Four cups of caffeinated coffee, equivalent to 400 mg of caffeine a day can have side effects such as migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate and muscle tremors. (Vanderveen et al 2001) The effects of caffeine can last from five to six hours in healthy adults and can vary depending on weight, height, and use of medication. Caffeine’s disruption of sleep is the most common side effect that can add up over time and can disturb daytime alertness as well as performance. These side effects are more easily felt by those with caffeine sensitivity at even just one cup of coffee a day. Tolerance of caffeine increases with daily consumption and the increase of …show more content…
Several studies suggest that with a lifelong consumption of caffeine a decrease in physiological and cognitive ability in women at the age of 80 or older occurs. The risk of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease is decreased and an increased in long term memory ability occurs. Caffeine can reduce headaches and migraines as shown by a study where one group of participants were given analgesics to reduce pain composed of 1000 mg acetaminophen, and 130 mg caffeine and the other group were given placebo pills. Those who consumed the analgesic with caffeine showed reduced pain within four hours after ingestion (Migliardi et al 1994). Caffeine constricts blood vessels in the body that aid in pain relief of headaches or migraine. Blood vessels in the brain dilate before headaches or migraines occur so the constriction of the blood vessels due to the presence of caffeine in the blood helps relieve or decrease the